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Tips for conception and a healthy pregnancy

You probably know there are many things you and your partner can do to ensure you have a healthy pregnancy. But did you know you can do so many of them before you actually get pregnant?

Here's a list of top tips for getting pregnant and how to ensure a healthy pregnancy:

Stop all contraceptivesWith some methods of contraception, such as the male and female condom, the cap, diaphragm and natural contraception methods like PERSONA, you can start trying to get pregnant as soon as you stop using the contraception.

With other methods, such as the contraceptive pill and contraceptive injections, it can sometimes take a little time for your cycles to return to normal after stopping taking the contraception. You may therefore want to come off the pill a couple of months before you wish to start trying for a baby.

Folic AcidTaking a folic acid supplement helps prevent neural tube defects in your baby. The Government's Chief Medical Officer recommends that women who are planning to get pregnant, or women who are pregnant, take a folic acid supplement containing 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, ideally 3 months before you start trying to conceive, and throughout the 1st trimester of your pregnancy. If you eat a healthy diet, you already get some folic acid from fortified breakfast cereals, beans, leafy green vegetables and orange juice.

Get to know your cycleIf you make a note of the dates when your period starts, you can get to know the length of your menstrual cycle and get an idea of how variable it is from cycle to cycle. This may help you in identifying your most fertile days, when making love will maximize your chances of getting pregnant.

Conceiving: a matter of timingOne in two couples could be trying to conceive at the wrong time in the woman's cycle. If you want to maximize your chances of getting pregnant in any one cycle, you might want to try Clearblue Ovulation Tests to pinpoint your 2 most fertile days by detecting the surge in Luteinising hormone (LH) that triggers ovulation.

Another option is to use the Clearblue Fertility Monitor, which is proven to almost double your chances of conceiving. It not only shows these 2 peak fertility days, but also identifies additional fertile days when you can conceive. By detecting a rise in estrogen, it can inform most women of an extra 1-5 days of High Fertility prior to their Peak Fertility.

Stay coolYour partner's testes are at their best when they are relatively cool. So wearing loose underwear and light trousers and avoiding hot baths can help improve his sperm production. Keeping mentally cool can help both of you too! The less you worry and stress the more likely you are to conceive.

Healthy dietA healthy diet is always important, but even more so when you're planning to have a baby. Make sure you follow a balanced diet, with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, to ensure you are getting enough protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.

Watch what you drinkIt's best to avoid alcohol while trying for a baby and throughout your pregnancy. It's also a good idea to cut down on drinks containing caffeine. Milk is good though as it's an excellent source of calcium.

Take extra care over hygieneGovernment experts recommend that pregnant women always wear gloves when gardening or changing cat litter. It's also important to wash your hands afterwards. This is to avoid toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by a parasite found in meat, cat faeces and soil. Toxoplasmosis infection can be harmful to unborn babies.

Stop smoking! That means both of youIf you stop smoking you'll reduce the chance of your baby being born early or with a low birth weight. You can avoid second-hand smoke by encouraging your partner to give up too.

VaccinationsRubella (also called German measles) is a mild illness in children and adults but it can seriously affect the unborn baby. If you haven't been vaccinated, you should consult with your doctor before trying to conceive.

The contents of this site are for informational purposes only and are meant to be discussed with your physician or other qualified health care professional before being acted on. Never disregard any advice given to you by your doctor or other qualified health care professional. Always seek the advice of a physician or other licensed health care professional regarding any questions you have about your medical condition(s) and treatment(s). This site is not a substitute for medical advice.